Blue stickers were added to a map of Nashville while residents referenced locations during the NashvilleNext public hearing Monday.

While a few stickers were scattered over downtown, East and Southeast Nashville, a thick clump covered the northern Nashville community of Whites Creek.

This cluster resulted from a proposed amendment by Metro Councilman Walter Hunt to change the agricultural and historic district's zoning to increase density. Supporters arguing either side of the amendment showed up, but those decrying how increased density would ruin the area's character received overwhelming support from the audience with affirming yells and claps.

"I am a little disappointed," Whites Creek resident Wilma Buchanan said. "It's like going to the store for a dozen of eggs, and you pay for a dozen of eggs and you come out and they tell you you only get six. Let Nashville be what it is supposed to be in the Whites Creek area — a rural, historic community."

After hearing the backlash, Hunt said there are "several conversations going on" about the issue. While many at the meeting opposed increasing density, Hunt said he has spoken with Whites Creek residents who think differently.

"I've heard to leave it like it is more than anything," Hunt said. He said he will still talk with more people, but "right now, I'm supporting T-3. ... I think that rural areas and urban areas with good structure and control can co-exist."

Other common sentiments Nashvillians shared with the Metro Planning Commission during the three-hour hearing included feeling like their communities, such as Madison, Edgehill and Sevenmile, were left out of the plan, the need for affordable housing and to delay the vote on adopting NashvilleNext until after the August elections.

While tens of Whites Creek residents told planning to keep development out of their community, Sasha Mullins Lassiter asked for more of it in Madison.

"Madison is the jewel of the area, but we're always overlooked," Lassiter said. "We feel left out of NashvilleNext. We are just an afterthought, and we want all the growth and development areas like Whites Creek don't want. We have enormous potential here."

Several in attendance, such as Samuel Lester, said NashvilleNext needs to better address the city's lack of affordable housing.